Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[PERLHR]

I did have a chuckle the other night in the VA lounge at ADL. For the first time, at least for me, I was a bit surprised to hear an announcement for boarding of the Qatar flight to Doha and quite a few people make their way out of the lounge to the departure gate ...,. So, if they were booked on VA codeshare would it be they get rejected from the QF lounge or is it that VA lounge is actively encouraged by QR? ,

 

[Bagpuss]

Somehow missed this thread, can someone recap what are the thoughts on EY?

I am assuming any tickets booked before April 2025 will be honored for SCs and points. I'm also wondering about F lounge access, since this is really the main reason I like flying EY now, in terms of what kind of timeframe is safe for that

Thinking Face Emoji​

I actually think EY will get booted when Qatar acquire 25% of Virgin Australia.
Therefore, it's not in the program changes.

When they get booted you may find that existing bookings will remain valid for Velocity benefits for a few months and in line with the Velocity SC changes.

I think EY is safe up until 1st April 2025.

To be honest with EY's current flight operations in Australia I thought Qatar may have let them remain in some sort of sense such as interlining etc. so it seems a little harsh.

 

[HS-TQE]

To be honest with EY's current flight operations in Australia I thought Qatar may have let them remain in some sort of sense such as interlining etc. so it seems a little harsh.

The agreement does allow for airlines in the highlighted areas to do a unilateral domestic codeshare with VA, however VA won't be codeharing on them on any services out of Australia, where applicable.

Considering the current EY/VA agreement is a unilateral domestic codeshare with VFF redemptions available (reverse of the NZ agreement but for EY putting their code on VAd), and that they're basically neighbours with QR, I can't see QR letting EY continue with the current unilateral agreement as they will likely not want their rivals taking up seats on VAd.

it's tipped that EY will likely be demoted from a unilateral/VFF redemption partner to an interline only partner as what happened with DL.

 

[SeaWolf]

The Qantas shareholders AGM is happening today. Qantas chair John Mullen has said the they won't be opposing Qatar taking a stake in VA.

Live: Qantas shares touch record high as AGM faces protests, ASX rallies led by WiseTech

Qantas shares touch a record high as its annual meeting kicks off under the cloud of an engineer's strike. WiseTech shares lead the ASX higher after the company's founder stands down as CEO. Follow the day's events on the ABC News live markets blog.

www.abc.net.au

He also gives an assessment of Qatar Airways' proposed stake in Virgin Australia, and what Qantas' view is.
Mr Mullen says Qantas is not opposed to it, and that it's a matter for the authorities to assess.

 

[justinbrett]

The Qantas shareholders AGM is happening today. Qantas chair John Mullen has said the they won't be opposing Qatar taking a stake in VA.

Live: Qantas shares touch record high as AGM faces protests, ASX rallies led by WiseTech

Qantas shares touch a record high as its annual meeting kicks off under the cloud of an engineer's strike. WiseTech shares lead the ASX higher after the company's founder stands down as CEO. Follow the day's events on the ABC News live markets blog.

www.abc.net.au

Not opposed to the investment but I believe they have already opposed the wet lease counting as an Australian service.

 

[elanshin]

I dont realistically think they can give any other answer. The media would love the soundbite if they said anything else.

 

[simmomelb]

The Qantas shareholders AGM is happening today. Qantas chair John Mullen has said the they won't be opposing Qatar taking a stake in VA.

Live: Qantas shares touch record high as AGM faces protests, ASX rallies led by WiseTech

Qantas shares touch a record high as its annual meeting kicks off under the cloud of an engineer's strike. WiseTech shares lead the ASX higher after the company's founder stands down as CEO. Follow the day's events on the ABC News live markets blog.

www.abc.net.au

What the Qantas boards view is this time doesn't matter, and they know it after the severe backlash last time. They know it makes them look good to say they aren't opposed to it now.

 

[justinbrett]

What the Qantas boards view is this time doesn't matter, and they know it after the severe backlash last time. They know it makes them look good to say they aren't opposed to it now.

Completely different situations.

Qantas shouldn’t get a say on who invests in another airline. That’s up to the government.

The Qatar traffic rights issue is something Qantas and every airline is entitled to have a say on (whether or not that’s accepted by the government is another matter). Equally as I said before I’m sure Qantas will have a say on the IASC allocation for the wet lease. I can’t see them opposing the current ACCC application as it just eliminates more VA partners. I’m sure they’re particularly happy VA is walking away from SA and EY.

 

[simmomelb]

Completely different situations.

Qantas shouldn’t get a say on who invests in another airline. That’s up to the government.

The Qatar traffic rights issue is something Qantas and every airline is entitled to have a say on (whether or not that’s accepted by the government is another matter). Equally as I said before I’m sure Qantas will have a say on the IASC allocation for the wet lease. I can’t see them opposing the current ACCC application as it just eliminates more VA partners. I’m sure they’re particularly happy VA is walking away from SA and EY.

I am well aware they are completely different situations, that goes without saying, however, that doesn't take away all the negative media attention which was thrown at both Qantas and the government at the time.
They don't want a repeat of that.

 

[justinbrett]

I am well aware they are completely different situations, that goes without saying, however, that doesn't take away all the negative media attention which was thrown at both Qantas and the government at the time.
They don't want a repeat of that.

My point is that QF won’t make comment when they’re not asked for it.

 

[simmomelb]

My point is that QF won’t make comment when they’re not asked for it.

They were asked for a comment, that's what I am referring to (nothing more).

 

[justinbrett]

They were asked for a comment, that's what I am referring to.

Not by the government. I’m not talking about what some random person asks them.

 

[simmomelb]

Not by the government. I’m not talking about what some random person asks them.

Of course, agreed!

 

[henrus]

I did have a chuckle the other night in the VA lounge at ADL. For the first time, at least for me, I was a bit surprised to hear an announcement for boarding of the Qatar flight to Doha and quite a few people make their way out of the lounge to the departure gate ...,. So, if they were booked on VA codeshare would it be they get rejected from the QF lounge or is it that VA lounge is actively encouraged by QR? ,

The VA lounge (spelt at Buisness on the oneworld website) is actually the QR contract lounge for their ADL flights. As a result QR Business, Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald (which includes QF Gold/Plat) along with VA Gold/Plat are invited to use the VA lounge.

If you hold status (including QF Gold/Plat) you'll be given a voucher to enter the VA lounge at check in.

 

[SCM]

After reviewing a lot of detail, I have to say it really sucks for VA plats... Currently we can use the EY first class lounge, which is amazing (and controversial opinion, better and more private than the EK one).

With Qatar, it seems we will only ever be able to access the QR platinum lounge, which has a severe lack of shower and toilet facilities, and pretty average food (for a ME lounge).

This is obviously a significant downgrade.

I looked into whether I can switch loyalty programs to EY, but obviously it's going to be very hard to earn miles, and there is a lack of transfer partners in the credit card space, in comparison to any local program....

What a shame, VA was really the best option for international flyers for a good while after COVID, and it seems like that's coming to an end.

Add to this that EY has far more frequently than QR and deeper discounts on J from CGK and MNL... it's just one loss after another.

 

[JessicaTam]

<mod hat>
Off topic posts have been deleted ... again.
</mod hat>

 

[SCM]

Just thinking, is it possible to comment on VA's submission for QR to become their exclusive partner heading to Europe? Is it being reviewed by ACCC or anything?

 

[justinbrett]

Just thinking, is it possible to comment on VA's submission for QR to become their exclusive partner heading to Europe? Is it being reviewed by ACCC or anything?

Submissions here, They close today if you want them considered before the interim decision, or next week for the final decision.

MEAD Submission Request for Application · ACCC

 

[Saab34]

An interesting part in this is the delayed departure of the CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.

It’s clear that Paul Jones was the lead contender. It seems things have changed. His previous stint at Qantas might be an issue for QR. I also think they might want someone with some financial experience behind them.

The Australian is reporting Qatar might be inclined to pull someone out of its address book.